Position Summary
Position Overview
The Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer (VP/CDO) at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks an experienced, inclusive and proven leader to serve in the inaugural role of assistant vice president in the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI). This is an executive management role reporting directly to and providing tactical, strategic and support of job-related duties to the vice president and chief diversity officer.
The assistant vice president provides visible leadership on and off-campus through active and effective engagement with both internal and external stakeholders, assisting with the coordination and management of efforts aimed at creating and nurturing a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. In addition, the assistant vice president will oversee daily operations in the Office, support the planning, implementation, monitoring and assessment of institutional strategic planning priorities, manage constituent engagement, and perform other duties as assigned.
Independently managing various projects, the assistant vice president coordinates campus-wide initiatives and interacts with executive, academic and administrative leaders throughout the university. This is a full-time, campus-based position in East Lansing, MI with some hybrid flexibility. Regular travel is not required.
Position Description
The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Michigan State University seeks a collaborative, empathetic and highly skilled individual with in-depth knowledge of and experience in increasing diversity, promoting inclusion, ensuring equity, and enhancing outreach and engagement in the higher education context. The inaugural assistant vice president must be a proven leader with demonstrated experience in expanding access, fostering inclusive excellence, and improving outcomes through data-driven decision making, evaluation and assessment in a large and complex, global organization.
The assistant vice president’s major areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide tactical, strategic and miscellaneous support of job-related duties to the vice president and chief diversity officer
- Oversee daily operations in the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Coordinate and manage efforts aimed at creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners
- Support the planning, implementation, monitoring and assessment of institutional strategic planning priorities
- Engage with both internal and external stakeholders
- Be an active member in relevant campus-based, local, regional and national professional groups and organizations
- Serve on behalf of the vice president and chief diversity officer in their absence, or as requested
- Other duties as assigned
About the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Established in 1968, as the Equal Opportunity Programs division of the university, the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, guides and supports efforts to advance a diverse and inclusive campus community, consistent with Michigan State University's core values.
Our vision is that Michigan State University will be recognized as a national leader in the advancement of knowledge by the most diverse and exemplary cadre of students, trainees, faculty, staff and alumni who transform lives through equitable teaching, research, scholarship and practice.
With 5 main areas of focus: Communications, Diversity Research Network, Education and Development, Equity and Compliance, and Outreach and Engagement, the Office aims to help nurture a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni through meaningful engagement, mutually beneficial relationships and strategic partnerships.
Guided by the recent MSU 2030: Empowering Excellence, Advancing Equity and Expanding Impact strategic plan, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report and Plan, Task Force on Racial Equity Report, Short-Term Work Group on Names and Pronouns recommendations, and Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Strategic Plan, the Office and its members are focused on advancing key institutional strategic priorities with great care and diligence.
About Michigan State University
Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is a leading land grant university and an innovator in research, teaching, and applications of knowledge. The University was established to make higher education available for the benefit of society and the public good. MSU has evolved to become an exemplary, world-class university, offering a full spectrum of programs, and attracting talented and diverse faculty, staff members, and students. The University has been an elected member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) since 1964.
Michigan State University enrolls over 50,000 students from all 50 states in the United States and 138 other countries and employs more than 12,000 faculty and staff members. The student body is comprised of 27.2 percent students of color, and international students make up 8.7 percent. The University has over 500,000 living alumni worldwide.
Michigan State offers more than 200 programs of undergraduate, graduate, and professional study across 17 degree-granting colleges. The University boasts an outstanding record of students earning prestigious national and international scholarships. Michigan State also offers more than 275 education abroad programs in more than 60 countries on all continents.
MSU has an energetic campus community with 1,000 registered student organizations, and one of the largest residential living communities in the nation. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of first-year students live on campus and there is also a second year on-campus living requirement. The residential living community is grouped into 5 neighborhoods that each offer social and wellness resources and support. In addition, Michigan State is a member of the Big Ten Athletic Conference in addition to boasting one of the largest intramural programs in the nation offering students and student-athletes many exciting ways to be involved in the campus community.
East Lansing is an affordable and ideal place to live and work. It has the diversity and culture of a university town, combined with affordable housing, strong public schools, and accessible amenities. East Lansing has nearly 50,000 residents and is adjacent to Michigan’s capital in neighboring Lansing. The campus is approximately 90 minutes from Detroit, and equidistant between Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH. Michigan residents enjoy 4 distinct seasons, the country’s longest freshwater coastline, and more than 11,000 inland lakes.
The MSU 2030 Strategic Plan builds upon a period of growth and success in providing world-class education, research, and outreach and engagement benefiting Michigan, the nation and people around the globe. Six strategic themes are at the core of MSU’s strategic plan: student success; staff and faculty success; innovation for global impact; sustainable health; stewardship and sustainability; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Importantly, diversity, equity and inclusion are also interwoven throughout each of these themes.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters
Desired Degree
Doctorate
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Qualifications and Competencies
The successful candidate must possess many of the following attributes and skills:
- An earned master’s or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university
- Strong integrity, judgement and courage of convictions
- High emotional intelligence and ability to maintain self-awareness while acknowledging impact of self on others
- Ability to assess risk and tolerance for the inevitable ambiguity that typifies a large university
- Proven ability to provide thoughtful leadership to transform and/or enhance institutional approaches to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion
- Strong analytical, and exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Effective communicator, both oral and written; excellent presentation skills
- Keenly detail-oriented
- Well organized
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Solid leadership skills, including the ability to take initiative, to collaborate, to work with little direct supervision, and to develop and execute plans
- Ability to help lead and direct staff in a manner that instills confidence and empowers them to achieve through challenging times and tough decisions
- Significant knowledge of and experience in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion priorities in a university setting
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex and sensitive matters with internal and cross-functional teams in a timely manner
- Verified professional history in successful and progressively responsible administrative roles; experience in executive-level; project management, strategic planning, staff supervision, budget planning and oversight
- Exhibited commitment to fostering and advancing a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning, living and working environment
- Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret the connection or relevance of non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title IX, sexual harassment, and other applicable laws and regulations and experience in complaint resolution, investigations, and grievance processes, as it relates to the mission and strategic priorities of the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Awareness of and ability to interpret civil rights laws and regulations, including Title IX and ADA/Section 504
Required Application Materials
- A letter to the Search Committee describing in detail, your interest in and qualification for this position.
- A comprehensive resume and/or curriculum vitae describing in detail, your knowledge, skills, and experience, as related to the duties and responsibilities of this position.
- A list of 5 professional references who can provide information regarding the quality of your work, competency to perform in this position, and preparation for success.
Special Instructions
Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion Organizational Structure:
https://inclusion.msu.edu/about/organization-structure.html
Review of Applications Begins On
03/11/2024
Website
https://inclusion.msu.edu/
Department Statement
The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, or IDI, works to advance Michigan State University’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities in partnership with and in support of executive and administrative leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni. Our vision, is to be recognized as a national leader in the advancement of knowledge by the most diverse and exemplary cadre of students, trainees, faculty, staff, and alumni who transform lives through equitable teaching, research, scholarship and practice.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
